Chamber Mourns Death Of Beloved Vice-President.

It is with feelings of great sadness, Enniscorthy and District Chamber of Commerce record the passing of our esteemed Vice-President, Michael O’ Leary, Garryvadden, Blackwater, whose death occurred on Sunday, January 27th., after a long illness borne with wonderful Christian fortitude.

Michael was Managing Partner of Sherry Fitzgerald O’ Leary Kinsella of Slaney Street, Enniscorthy, and was one of County Wexford’s best known auctioneers having served as President of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers during his distinguished career. He was involved in many high profile sales of land and property over the years and his wise counsel was regularly sought and freely given to any individual who engaged his services.

Perhaps Michael’s greatest contribution, however, was his community involvement in almost every sphere of life in both his native Blackwater and here in Enniscorthy his adopted town. He gave freely of his time and talents to any number of worthwhile organisations and his willingness to participate, promote and work for what he believed in will be the legacy by which he will best be remembered.

His sustained efforts in promoting Enniscorthy town and district as a centre of excellence in which to live work and needs no introduction from this Chamber. Suffice it to say Michael’s contribution to the development of Enniscorthy was matched only by his passionate belief in always doing the right thing in terms of providing a better community environment for the people of the town and district.

He achieved this through his dedication and commitment to the organisations he served, the Chamber of Commerce being just one of many. At the time of his passing, Michael was Vice President of the Chamber, a role in which he revelled as it provided him with an ideal platform to promote all that Enniscorthy has to offer. He had no time for shallow minded thinking preferring instead to promote the maxim ‘the glass is half full rather than half empty’. During his years as a Chamber member, Michael availed of every opportunity to promote Enniscorthy and his extensive contacts in the business world were regularly called upon when found necessary to further an idea or objective he had in mind. Two recent examples of this was his involvement in successfully concluding the sale of the old Dunne’s Stores premises on Rafter Street and the commencement of work on the new Technology Park at Killagoley. Both, in the fullness of time, will stand as testament to his vision and foresight and a constant reminder of what might have been had he lived to fulfil his destiny.

To his beloved wife, Mary, sons, Rodi, Jason and Declan, daughter, Lisa, brothers, Bobby and Eamonn and extended family members, the sympathy of the Chamber is extended at time sad time.

Michael left a indelible impression on all our lives which can best be summed up in the words of the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,

“LIVES OF GREAT MEN ALL REMIND US,WE CAN MAKE OUR LIVES SUBLIME,AND, DEPARTING, LEAVE BEHIND US,FOOTPRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME”.

The late Michael O’ Leary has indeed left his Footprints on the Sands of Time.